Chinese Defence Minister Blames India for Tension in Meeting with Counterpart, Says “Not an Inch of Chinese Territory to Lose”
The Sino-Indian conflict continues as India seized a Chinese stronghold in the Pangong Lake region and pushed 4km into the Chinese-controlled area at the end of last month. The Chinese defence ministry issued a press release a day after a meeting took place between the Chinese defence minister Wei Fenghe and the Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh in Moscow on 4 September. The release quoted Wei as saying that the relations between the two countries are deeply affected by the border dispute and that it is crucial for him and Singh to be honest in their face-to-face exchange. Wei said the cause of the situation and the truth are very clear, claiming that “the responsibility is entirely with India.” He emphasized that “there is not an inch of Chinese territory to lose” and that “the Chinese military is fully determined, capable, and confident to safeguard China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Wei said both sides should make the effort to solve the problem through dialogue. He expected India to strictly abide by the series of agreements the two countries have reached and to better manage the front-line troops. India, he added, should not engage in acts of provocation by crossing the current Line of Actual Control (LAC), take any actions that may add fuel to the fire, and try hyping negative stories. These are to de-escalate the situation as soon as possible and to maintain peace and tranquillity along the Sino-Indian border, he said.
The press release also quoted Singh as saying that peace and stability along the border is of utmost importance to China and India’s bilateral relations. Channels for military and diplomatic dialogue should be kept open at all levels, he added, and issues should be resolved peacefully through talks. He hopes that both sides will avoid taking actions that may escalate or complicate the situation. It is also hoped that the two countries will not turn differences into disputes and are committed to put their relations back on track as soon as possible.
Source: Stand News #Sep05
#India #China #WeiFenghe #RajnathSingh #Border #Military #Conflict
https://bit.ly/3hBtvDZ
The Sino-Indian conflict continues as India seized a Chinese stronghold in the Pangong Lake region and pushed 4km into the Chinese-controlled area at the end of last month. The Chinese defence ministry issued a press release a day after a meeting took place between the Chinese defence minister Wei Fenghe and the Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh in Moscow on 4 September. The release quoted Wei as saying that the relations between the two countries are deeply affected by the border dispute and that it is crucial for him and Singh to be honest in their face-to-face exchange. Wei said the cause of the situation and the truth are very clear, claiming that “the responsibility is entirely with India.” He emphasized that “there is not an inch of Chinese territory to lose” and that “the Chinese military is fully determined, capable, and confident to safeguard China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Wei said both sides should make the effort to solve the problem through dialogue. He expected India to strictly abide by the series of agreements the two countries have reached and to better manage the front-line troops. India, he added, should not engage in acts of provocation by crossing the current Line of Actual Control (LAC), take any actions that may add fuel to the fire, and try hyping negative stories. These are to de-escalate the situation as soon as possible and to maintain peace and tranquillity along the Sino-Indian border, he said.
The press release also quoted Singh as saying that peace and stability along the border is of utmost importance to China and India’s bilateral relations. Channels for military and diplomatic dialogue should be kept open at all levels, he added, and issues should be resolved peacefully through talks. He hopes that both sides will avoid taking actions that may escalate or complicate the situation. It is also hoped that the two countries will not turn differences into disputes and are committed to put their relations back on track as soon as possible.
Source: Stand News #Sep05
#India #China #WeiFenghe #RajnathSingh #Border #Military #Conflict
https://bit.ly/3hBtvDZ